Best Books That Will Help You Overcome Your Addiction
Having an addiction is tough. All you can think of is the thing you are craving for. You want it but you know it’s not good for you.
Apart from that, people who have addictions have to deal with shame. To others, their addiction may seem immoral and unacceptable. Without the right support, recovery is difficult.
Below are 10 best books on addiction recovery. They will help you overcome your addiction and prevent relapse.
Some books talk about addictions in general while others are written specifically for a particular addiction in mind. For example, drugs, alcohol, or relationship addiction.
Choose a book that best suits your needs.
Top 10 Best Books About Overcoming Addiction and Recovery
Disclosure: Please note that the links below are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and Bookshop Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase, but it will be at no additional cost to you.
1. The Addictive Personality by Craig Nakken
Have you ever wondered why you become addicted to shopping, eating or alcohol?
Regardless of the type of addiction, this book will help you understanding how you or someone you know become an addict. From the stages of addiction through the process of recovery, you will learn to spot the patterns of addictive reasoning and ways to challenge those ways of thinking.
What makes this book even better is the section on addiction and the family. If you have someone in your family with addiction problems, this book is for you.
No matter the addiction, this is an excellent book if you’re seeking to understand addiction and what it takes to attain recovery.
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2. Unbroken Brain by Maia Szalavitz
This New York Times bestseller challenges the traditional perception of addiction as a brain disease.
The premise is that addictions are learning disorders like autism. They are developed in response to stressful situations. There is no single treatment that works for all, so treatment should be tailored to individual needs.
This book presents a number of issues related to addiction and strategies for addressing them. It is best suited for those are looking for science-based information.
If you had tried traditional methods of overcoming addiction such as 12-step program and they didn’t work for you, this book will be a good alternative to try.
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3. 12 Stupid Things That Mess Up Recovery by Allen Berger
Addiction is not the only problem. If you are a recovering addict and need help on preventing and avoiding relapse, this is the book for you.
For most addicts, removing their addictions doesn’t work in the long-term because their main problem isn’t resolved and they are still running away from it. Therefore, relapse is bound to happen.
This book goes beyond the treatment plan and addresses the emotional sobriety that needs to occur to sustain recovery. From getting real about your circumstances to addressing related issues like relationships and taking responsibility, this book discusses about the emotional work that needs to accompany physical sobriety.
Building a strong foundation that supports recovery is key and this book is great for that.
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4. The Mindfulness Workbook for Addiction by Rebecca Williams and Julie Kraft
“Most addictive behavior is rooted in some kind of loss.”
Triggers can come from all directions when you least expect it and emotional triggers are no exception. Based on the relationship between loss and addictions, this book address the depression and grief that lie at the heart of addiction.
Full of self-assessments, exercises and strategies, you will learn mindfulness skills to help you deal with emotional issues, understand your addiction and discover new healthy coping behaviors.
This book is best suited for those who is willing to do the work and open to mindfulness practices.
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5. Rewired by Erica Spiegelman
This book presents a new holistic approach to dealing with addictions and recovery.
Based on the concepts of self-actualization, this approach addresses the whole self. It will guide you towards sobriety as well as emotional and spiritual wellness.
Do you need help with recovery, but feel uncomfortable asking for help?
In addition to the many tools provided for overcoming unhealthy, addictive patterns, this book also inspires you to ask for help when you need it.
You can use this book alone or as part of a 12-step program to create a personalized treatment plan that is right for you.
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6. I Want to Change My Life by Steven Melemis
It is no secret that addictions and mood disorders often go hand-in-hand.
Here’s a book that addresses both issues in a five-point, one month plan to begin the process of healing.
In this book, you will learn about symptoms, effective treatments and relapse prevention strategies as well as coping skills that are derived from the best cognitive therapy, stress management, and mindfulness practices.
This book is for anyone who is ready to take control of his or her life and take steps towards recovery now.
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7. Clean by David Sheff
“Addiction is a preventable, treatable disease, not a moral failing.”
This book is about drug abuse and addiction. Based on research, this New York Times bestseller is built on the belief that addictions are preventable and treatable using the best science-based approaches.
Furthermore, this book clarifies how addiction works and attempts to break the stigma associated with it. It explains why the existing treatment system has helped some, but failed for so many others.
From the latest science behind addictions to the how to’s of seeking treatment and getting sober, this book is great for anyone who are seeking help and don’t know where to start.
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8. Your Brain on Porn by Gary Wilson
“Internet pornography can be seriously addictive and damaging.”
This bestselling book offers a glimpse into the much misunderstood phenomenon of internet pornography and what science is learning about this powerful addiction.
In this book, you will find an informative introduction to internet porn addiction based on both first-person accounts and cognitive neuroscience research. You will learn about the harmful effects of pornography, not from a religious or moral perspective, but from a science perspective. For example, do you know that porn can induced erectile dysfunction in men?
This book is best suited for those who want to understand the unique challenges of an internet porn addiction and are seeking help in this area.
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9. Healing the Addicted Brain by Harold Urschel
This book is about treating alcoholism and drug addiction as a biological disease. A brain disease can be treated with medications just like other chronic illnesses.
Combining behavioral interventions with brain function research, the strategies and treatment suggested in the program are designed to overcome the biological factors that cause addictive behavior.
Furthermore, this book helps you understand how you became addicted and why you behave the way you did.
If you are interested in science-based interventions and open to using medications to help your addiction, this is the book for you.
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10. How to Break Your Addiction to a Person by Howard Halpern
Do you get too attached to every person you have dated? Do you find it hard to break up with someone even though the relationship is making you miserable?
If so, you may be addicted.
This book provides a step-by-step guide to help you break free of your addiction and overcome the painful breakup period. When you are addicted to someone, you may not be aware that your mind is constantly trying to deceive you to stay in the relationship. This book will help you recognize these addictive patterns.
If you want to get out of their codependent relationship and not get caught in an agonizing relationship again, then this book is suitable for you.
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Hey there, I’m Yong Kang, best known as Nerdy Creator. I’m an author of seven books. I write about spirituality, self-compassion, and mindfulness. I love reading books, especially non-fiction. The list above is a combination of what I have read and my research. Each year, I create a Top 10 list of my favorite books.
